2023 Annual Report
2022 - 2023 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Board of Directors Kris Pfaehler, Chair Karen Hopper, Secretary Karen Lutz, Treasurer Ann Olson, Immediate Past Chair Alexis Barkis Linda Carter Pam Heffernan Don Lawson Fran O’ Sullivan Bob Polizzotto Lisa Sanchez Kelly Saylor Roger Schorr
Directors Emeriti Ron Ciesla Maureen Denman Jim Derham Kim Dillon Sue Frey Janet Gable Otto Immel Craig Jilk Mary Beth Johns Doug Johnson Jinny Johnson Robin Larkin Connie Messner Dick Munro Marsha Murphy Lynn Nolan Maureen O’ Gorman Gary Root Rusty Troth Val Trotman Tony Urick Michael Watkins Skip Zink 2
Annual Report 2023
OUR MISSION: To provide safe, quality, affordable education and care for children and parents from low-income working families and to prepare the children for kindergarten, ready to read and ready to learn!
A MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND BOARD CHAIR We are deeply grateful for your ongoing support in providing quality early learning opportunities to low-income children in Collier County. With your help, we have ensured that every child, regardless of socio-economic background, has access to a high-quality early learning education. Through the dedication of our educators, staff, and generous donors like you, we’ve created a nurturing environment where children thrive and reach their full potential. This past year, we achieved significant milestones, implementing an evidence-based curriculum and witnessing tremendous growth in our children’s cognitive, social, emotional and physical abilities. None of this would have been possible without your unwavering support. Your commitment to our mission has made a meaningful impact on the lives of the children and the families we serve, breaking barriers and creating opportunities for a brighter future. We are thrilled to announce that we have expanded our reach in 2023 to two new locations in partnership with Collier County Public Schools: Golden Gate High School and Poinciana Elementary School. This exciting opportunity allow us to reach even more children in need and provide them with the transformative education they deserve. The acquisition of the Teen-Aged Parenting Program (TAPP) at Golden Gate High School is a significant step forward for Fun Time Academy. By integrating this program, Fun Time Academy will be able to support teenage parents in completing their education while providing their children with exceptional education and care. This approach recognizes the importance of addressing the unique needs of teenage parents and their children, creating a supportive environment for their growth and development. Please find detailed information in this annual report, the collective efforts of our staff, volunteers and donors who have worked tirelessly to create positive change. Looking ahead, we remain committed to our mission and the pursuit of excellence in early childhood education. With your continued support, we are excited to embark on new initiatives and deepen our impact on even more children and families. Thank you for being a valued partner in this incredible journey of transforming lives, one child at a time. Warm regards,
Jessica Campbell, Executive Director
Kris Pfaehler, Board Chair
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MEET ALINS! Alins is a two-and-a-half-year-old Fun Time student who embodies the transformative power of our approach. When he joined Fun Time, he faced severe developmental challenges that left his working mother desperate for solutions. He faced delays in physical and language development, falling behind his peers in areas like balance, toileting, eating, and verbal expression. But Fun Time embraced the opportunity to make a difference in his life. Our dedicated teachers and strong community partnerships came together to provide the support and resources that Alins needed. In just a few short months, Alins has made remarkable progress, and he is now sitting up and walking with greater stability, enjoying activities with his classmates, discovering a passion for learning and even riding a bicycle. Alins is a testament to the life-altering impact of our high-quality early learning education and care. By investing in Fun Time, you become a catalyst for this sort of change, a lifeline for families in need and an architect of a brighter future. Your generous support allows us to break the cycle of poverty, dismantle barriers to education and empower children from low-income working families to rise above their circumstances. Together, we are creating a ripple effect of impact that extends far beyond our walls. We are shaping a community where every child has equal opportunities, where teenage parents can complete their education and their children receive exceptional care, and where families are equipped to thrive.
Join us on this transformative journey Your tax-deductible donation will help ensure that we can continue our mission to provide the same high-quality education and care for children and parents from low-income working families that we have for over 60 years.
DONATE NOW! Fun Time Early Childhood Academy Address: 102 12th Street North Naples, Fl 34102 Phone: 239-261-8284 EIN #59-1039978 www.funtimeacademy.org 4
Annual Report 2023
TESTIMONIALS
Krista Maddox
“I wanted to share my heartfelt gratitude and admiration for the incredible teachers and staff at Fun Time Earl y Childhood Academy Poinciana. They have become such an important p art of our lives! As a p arent and educator, I found that choosing the right earl y learning center for our child was a daunting task, but I can confidentl y say that we made the best decision by entrusting our little one into their care.”
Jasmine Smith “Fun Time Academy has been a blessing to my famil y. I’m not sure if there’s any other learning center that could provide the training, education, excitement and p assion that Fun Time does. My daughter’s vocabul ary is constantl y exp anding. Dail y, I’m impressed with how she can articul ate what she’s learning... even down to the different foods she eats.” Annual Report 2023
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FUN TIME ACADEMY OVER THE YEARS
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EXPANSION DOWNTOWN LOCATION • • • • •
Serving up to 96 children from 2 to 5 years old 6 Classrooms VPK, School Readiness and Headstart Provider Qualified staff Hours: 7:30 am - 5:30 pm
Address: 102 12th Street N, Naples, FL 34102 Phone: 239-261-8284
POINCIANA LOCATION • • • • •
Serving up to 62 children from 18 months to 5 years old 3 Classrooms School Readiness Provider Qualified staff Hours: 7:30 am - 5:30 pm Address: 2825 Airport-Pulling Rd, Naples, FL 34105 Phone: 239-377-0832
GOLDEN GATE LOCATION • • • • •
Serving up to 84 children from birth to 5 years old 6 Classrooms VPK and School Readiness Provider Qualified staff Hours: 6:30 am - 4:00 pm
Address: 2925 Titan Way, Naples, FL 34116 Phone: 239-377-1750 Annual Report 2023
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ON-SITE FREE SERVICES
Dental & Vision Screenings Every year, Fun Time Early Childhood Academy organizes dental and vision checkups in collaboration with our community partners. Ensuring the safety and well-being of our students is a top priority for us.
Extracurricular Activities Throughout the school year, Fun Time Early Childhood Academy regularly offers extracurricular activities to our students, including art, theater, and singing classes, in addition to engaging them in STEAM activities. 8
Annual Report 2023
FOR OUR STUDENTS
Swimming & Water Safety Lessons Ensuring water safety is essential, and we strongly encourage parents to enroll their children in free swimming lessons conducted during the summer at school hours. Additionally, we provide water play activities every week at all three of our locations.
Parent Involvement & More We emphasize the importance of fostering strong family bonds for our student’s development. Fun Time Academy hosts monthly family events and offers parent training sessions on interesting topics like financial literacy, nutrition and mental health.
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FAMILY INVOLVEMENT We’re all about encouraging parents to be part of We firmly believe that fostering a strong connection between parents and their children, especially during the crucial early years before the age of five, is essential for healthy child development. That’s why Fun Time Early Childhood Academy organizes and hosts engaging and enjoyable activities and workshops. These opportunities serve a dual purpose providing children with a space for exploration and learning while keeping parents informed about their children’s experiences at our school. Our activities take place at all three of our locations and cover a wide range of subjects, from outdoor adventures in our gardens to exciting technology and science experiments. We also host musical events and classroom celebrations.
Parent & Child Activity Chemistry Class By Super Science and Amazing Art
In addition to these enriching experiences, we offer parent training sessions. These sessions cover important topics such as finance, nutrition and mental health, providing parents with valuable knowledge and skills to support their children’s overall development and well-being.
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Parent Training Cooking Class By University of Florida IFAS
THE DIFFERENCE WE MAKE High Impact - Early Intervention
Teaching Strategies Gold ® Assesment Percentage of children from two - five years meeting and exceeding developmental milestones, Spring 2023.
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KINDERGARTEN READINESS 90% of our students are at/above benchmark.* Ready for kindergarten, ready to read, ready to learn. Sources: Florida Department of Education, Office of Early Learning and STAR Early Literacy Assesment results.*
Florida
49%
Collier County
50%
Fun Time Early Childhood Academy 90%
48,000 4
meals served at our Downtown campus
languages spoken on campus
Over 2,000 books sent home
400
600
hours of swimming lessons
boxes of food distributed
15
classrooms
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Annual Report 2023
GIVING OPPORTUNITIES
Annual Appeal
Fundraising Gala
August 2023 through June 2024
Superheroes Theme at Grey Oaks Country Club February 22, 2024
Giving Tuesday November 28, 2023 www.funtimeacademy.org
Sip & Shop
Donate Through our website www.funtimeacademy.org or by check.
J. McLaughlin - Venetian Village and 3rd Street South locations. February 8, 2024
Become a Legacy Society Member To learn more, visit our website or contact us at 239-261-8284.
DID YOU KNOW? 100% of each donated dollar goes directly toward providing safe, quality, affordable education and care. Annual Report 2023
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GALLERY “They grow so fast!”
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THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING Fun Time Early Childhood Academy
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LEGACY SOCIETY LEAVE A LEGACY THAT WILL LAST FOREVER The Fun Time Academy Legacy Society recognizes supporters who have a passion for the education of children and who want to ensure that their love of quality pre-kindergarten education lives on for generations to come. A pre-planned legacy gift is one of the best routes for leaving a long-term impact at Fun Time Early Childhood Academy. Legacy giving provides a level of support that amplifies our ability to fulfill our mission of educating children from low-income working families in the future. All members of the Fun Time Early Childhood Academy Legacy Society share a dedication to investing in education for years to come. Being a Fun Time Early Childhood Academy Legacy Society member involves no dues, obligations or solicitations. It does allow us to thank you and recognize you for your lasting generosity.
Thank you to our Legacy Society members Mary Beth & Charles Johns Peter Manion* & Susan Manion Frey Constance Messner Carol & Dick Munro Marsha Murphy Maureen O’Gorman Ruth & Kris Pfaehler Glenda & Roger Schorr Robert S. Troth Val Trotman *deceased
If you are interested in becoming a Legacy Society member or would like to learn more, please visit our website www.funtimeacademy.org or call 239-261-8284 16
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GET INVOLVED Join our volunteer program There are numerous opportunities to actively engage and volunteer across our diverse Fun Time Academy locations. Whether you choose to assist our dedicated teachers and students within classrooms, work with small groups, provide one-on-one tutoring, or contribute to campus beautification through gardening and decorating, volunteering at Fun Time promises to be a rewarding and enjoyable experience. Your involvement makes a meaningful impact on our community and the growth of the children we serve.
Learn more If you have a passion for volunteering and want to explore the many ways you can contribute, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at 239-261-8284 today! Contact us now to start your fulfilling volunteer experience!
Watch a video “A day as a volunteer”
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ANNUAL FUNDING SOURCES For the year ending June 30, 2023
Total Operating Costs $2,703,701
*Cornerstone supporters include Naples Children & Education Foundation, Terra Cotta Golf Charities, Collier Community Foundation and The Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation.
2022 - 2023 Acknowledgments for Program Excellence • • • • •
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National Accreditation Commission - Highly regarded Five-Star Quality Rating from the Early Learning Coalition (ELC) Platinum-Level Transparency Rating from GuideStar Four Star Charity Rating on Charity Navigator Top-Rated Nonprofit on Greatnonprofits Annual Report 2023
SYNERGISTIC RELATIONSHIPS WITH KEY COMMUNITY PARTNERS Our work with partner agencies gives depth and quality to our programming • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Able Academy Arthrex Books of Collier Kids Better Together Champions for Learning Christ Child Society of Naples Collier Community Foundation David Lawrence Centers Early Learning Coalition of SWFL Future Ready Collier Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples Harry Chapin Food Bank Healthcare Network of SWFL
• • • • • • • • • • • • •
The Lions Club NCH Safe and Healthy Children’s Coalition Northern Trust Bank Literacy Volunteers of Collier County Naples Children & Education Foundation (NCEF) Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation River Park Community Center Ronald McDonald House Charities Tamiami Hyundai The Healthy Earth Organization UF Family Nutrition Program United Arts Council United Way of Collier and the Keys
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Our mission is to provide safe, quality, affordable education and care for children and parents from low-income working families and to prepare the children for kindergarten, ready to read and ready to learn!
DOWNTOWN 102 12th Street North, Naples, FL 34102
POINCIANA 2825 Airport-Pulling Road, Naples, FL 34105
GOLDEN GATE 2925 Titan Way, Naples, FL 34116
239-261-8284
239-377-0832
239-377-1750